Written by David Self Monday, 06 October :00 - Last Updated Thursday, 02 October :21

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Theodora Little
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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview October 12, 2008 "Embrace God's Perspective" Background: 1 Samuel 16:1-17:58 Lesson: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Motivation: What giants do you face in life: disorganization (17:8), discouragement (17:11), disarmament (17:24), desperation (17:25)? God doesn't want us to focus on gigantic problems; instead He expects us to focus on our sufficient God! Examination: Football Coach Bob Stoops once used the David and Goliath story to illustrate "How to Achieve An Impossible Goal:" 1) Be offended by what the giant has done, 2) Understand the reward for slaying the giant, 3) Ignore the evil reports, and 4) Fight with familiar and tested weapons. I. New Leadership (16:1-13) A. Divided Kingdom (1-4) Chapter 15 concluded with Saul going to Gibeah and Samuel to Ramah (15:34). Although Samuel " mourned for Saul," the feelings of affection were not reciprocal. When God told Samuel to anoint another King, his response showed the deep enmity of Saul, " If Saul hears it, he will kill me " (2). Even the villagers knew of the potential for trouble: " Do you come peaceably " (4). Although the kingdom was united in theory, there were still deep fault lines that foreshadowed the coming division after Solomon. B. Divine Standard (5-10) Samuel surveyed the "crop" of potential kings among Jesse's sons. Based on the imposing physical qualifications of Saul (9:2), Samuel could not help speculating over God's choice "... he looked at 1 / 7

2 Eliab and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him!' " (6). God reveals an incredible truth to all of us at this point: " Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature...for the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart" (7) (2 Cor. 5:12; I Thes. 5:22) Jeremiah wrote " The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it? " (17:9) Only through God's grace can our hearts be acceptable to Him! David cried out to God: " Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Ps. 139:32; Ps. 19:12-14) C. David's Anointing (11-13) David was so insignificant that his father didn't bother even introducing him to the Prophet. Yet, this little shepherd boy would become Israel's greatest king. Explore the Bible Commentary (Spring, 2001), p. 91: "God matches humans and events according to His own wisdom. Often the first becomes last, and the last first. Perhaps many who now live in obscurity and seeming unimportance will be raised up by the Lord to do a mighty work for Him in His own time. Too many people look at themselves and say they will never have a great task laid before them. They should remember the story of this young shepherd who was called from tending his sheep to be king of Israel. A few hours before his anointing, David might well have thought that his destiny was fixed and that his lot was to settle in Bethlehem and raise sheep. We can affirm these truths: God knows the capacity and potential of each individual. He will never lead any of us to do something for which He will not equip and empower us. While serving Him often requires personal sacrifices, following Him provides life's highest satisfaction." II. Troubled Leader (16:14-23) A. Spiritual Decline (14-15) Believer's Study Bible, p. 399: 16:14 "According to this verse, God's judgment of Saul included two aspects. On the one hand, God's Spirit ceased to empower Saul for kingship, leaving him to his own mental and spiritual helplessness and instability (cf. 28:15, 16). On the other hand, God tormented Saul psychologically. The word ra'ah (Heb.), distressing,' translated evil' in the KJV, may describe in various contexts something either morally evil or unpleasant. The latter appears to be the case here. God caused Saul to have spells in which he felt miserable (cf. v. 23), perhaps periods of severe depression (cf. 1 Kin. 22:0-23)" 2 / 7

3 B. Spiritual Advance (16-18) Surely some time had passed between verses 13 and 18. God's Spirit was evident upon David as his reputation grew. (16:12-13) Notice the qualities that even become known in the King's Court: " skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him. " (18) C. Spiritual Comfort (19-23) Saul and David formed a mutual admiration society: " he (David) loved him (Saul) greatly" (23) and " he (David) has found favor in my (Saul's) sight." (22) Believer's Study Bible, p.400: 16:23 "David's God-given ability to comfort Saul with his music indicates that God's judgment of Saul was not total, but was yet tempered by His grace. Sometimes today God in His grace may use music to relieve human suffering." III. Gigantic Enemy (1 Sam. 17:1-58) A. Dismayed Army "When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid" (11) Ancient battles were sometimes decided by a duel between a champion of each army (2 Sam. 2:13-14). Goliath was over nine feet tall (4), wore armor weighing about 125 pounds (5) and the head of his spear weighed about 16 pounds. The enemy's giants are always intended to dismay without a fight. B. Dubious David (17:12-25) 1. Inauspicious "And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how your brothers fare, and bring back news of them.& quot; (18) David didn't begin the day thinking he was going on a grand quest. Actually, he was just an errand boy delivering groceries. We should not wait for a future mission to be used of God; our job is to be equipped at all times to be usable (I Pet. 3:15; 2 Tim. 1:6-7). The Greek 3 / 7

4 word in the Great Commission is best translated "as you are going" (Matt. 28:19) 2. Invective "the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name... he spoke according to the same words." (23) The taunting of Goliath is recorded in verses " I defy the armies of Israel this day " (10). The reaction of Saul and the army was fear and dismay (11). By verse 24, just the appearance of Goliath was cause for the entire Israelite army to flee and become " dreadfully afraid " (24). 3. Incentives "it shall be that the man who kills him the King will enrich" (25) Goliath's taunts had been going on for forty days (16). During that time Saul evidently continued to raise the reward since he had no takers. By the time David arrived, the soldier who killed Goliath would be given: "great riches;" "his daughter" in marriage; and "his father's house exempt from taxes in Israel. " C. Defeating Giants (17:26-58) This historical tale of valor and victory can serve as an object lesson for dealing with the giants in our lives. 1. Rest On the Proper Motive For Joining the Battle - David didn't leave home looking to get into a fight. Neither was he tempted by Saul's "lottery." David wasn't even out to rescue the honor of the Israelite army; battles with the Philistines were ongoing (14:52). David's motivation was to honor God. " For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (26b) 2. Resist Discouragement (28-32) No sooner had David taken up the challenge than his older brother, Eliab, sought to discourage him. 4 / 7

5 a. Presenting Anger: "Eliab's anger was aroused against David" (28) No doubt Eliab felt intense guilt that David was accepting the responsibility that he should have taken forty days earlier. It's a curious trait of human nature that feels "if I don't do what was right, then I must criticize anyone else who tries." b. Prejudging Motives "Why did you come down here...you have come down to see the battle " (28) The second attack of discouragement came when Eliab impugned David's motives. In effect, he's accusing David of "grandstanding," making a big show without intending to fight. c. Putting Down His Abilities "with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?" With one scathing remark, Eliab reminds David that he was only an insignificant shepherd. d. Professing to Know His Heart "I know your pride and the insolence of your heart " (28) Perhaps the unkindest cut of all was the character assassination Eliab undertook in the presence of the other soldiers (" he spoke to the men "). It's hard enough to do the right thing without detractors accusing you of doing it for the wrong reason! 3. Recall God's Deliverance of the Past (34-37) "Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." (36) 4. Resort to Proven Principles (38-40) J. Vernon McGee (Thru the Bible, vol. 2, p. 157) "What a lesson there is for us in this. Let's not try to be something we are not, or try to do something we are really not called to do. If God has called you to use a slingshot, friend, don't try to use a sword. If God has called you to speak, then speak. If God has called you to do something else, well, do that. If God has called you to sing, sing. But if He has not called you to sing, for goodness sake, don't do it. Too many people are trying to use a sword when the slingshot is really more their size." David had five stones because Goliath had four brothers! When tempted, Jesus used five books (The Pentateuch) to battle Satan (Matt. 4:1-11). 5 / 7

6 5. Rely on the Proper Source of Power (41-47) "You came to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I came to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you defied." (45) vs. 47 " The battle is the Lord's " (2 Chron. 20:15). 6. Run to meet Your Problem Head On (48-50) "David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine " (48). 7. Rejoice in the Victory Only God Can Give (51-58) "And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem " (54) Believer's Study Bible, p., 402: 17:56 "Saul's lack of knowledge concerning David appears to conflict with 16:14-23, where David was introduced to Saul and played his harp for the king. However, on the first occasion, Saul learned of David as an individual; the inquiry at this point (vv. 55ff.) was concerned with the lineage and social standing of David." Application: God chooses based on our heart's condition God gives us opportunities in the normal routines of life God expects us to focus on His power rather than on perceived giants. Leader Pack Item 10: Poster: "Lesson Outline" 6 / 7

7 Illustrator: p. 43 "David & the Philistines. Notes: **You may access David's Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: y.org/ ; Dates: 10/ Women's Omni Westside; 10/18 - Shaping Your Child's Character; 10/31 - First Fest; 1 1/2 - Fall Back (time change Sun.); 11/7 - FBA Veteran's Recognition Service; 11/ Southern Baptists of Texas Convention; 11/16 - Parent Commitment & Reception; 11/30 - Thanksgiving - one service (10 am) plus Ascend, no Bible classes; 12/6 - MTC Christmas Store; 12/6 - Christmas Presentation 6:00; 12/13 - Preschoolers Christmas Party; 12/ FBA Lower School Christmas Program; 12/ FBA Primary School Christmas Program; 12/20 - Shane & Shane Concert 7:00; 12/24 - Christmas Eve Services - 5:00 & 11pm; 12/28 - Christmas/New Year's weekend - All three worship services, no Bible classes. 7 / 7

a man after my own heart (Acts 13:22 NIV). We see in the call of David, those early indications of character which made him dear to God.

a man after my own heart (Acts 13:22 NIV). We see in the call of David, those early indications of character which made him dear to God. Explore the Bible Lesson Preview July 17, 2016 Anointed! Background: 1 Samuel 16:1-23 Lesson: 1 Samuel 16:4-13Motivation: Of all the kings mentioned in the Bible, King David was the only one called by